"Everybody moves on. But it’s hard to let go of the empty beer bottles."

No, No Candy, I got some right here, LOL!! I'm playing, I'm playing. Of course I clean my house every morning.

Before you know it, is gonna turn into High School today for crying out loud, LOL!!

Candy.....amazing blog......enough said

Good luck with your home project.
Thanks for keeping those of us in
your thoughts. I always enjoy reading
your posts. You are an amazing writer
and a gifted story telling. You make me
understand who thing work on the hill.

Candy,

I'm just glad you aren't saying goodbye to us, your fans and readers! I admire your reporting immensely, and always am glad for your contributions on CNN. It was a treat to see you on the morning show today; I had to sit down with my cup of coffee and watch your report.

Thanks for your hard work, doing what you do so well, and I look forward to reading more of your blogging in '09.

And, I hope you are working on a book! I love your writing. I'd like you to have your own show, but then I guess I'd miss your in-the-field reporting and analysis too much.

Thanks again.

Linda

Candy in many respects the last eight years have been the worst of times for most of us. Stick around because the best of times are just on the horizon and oh what a time that will be . You can count on it.

Obama just isn't my guy. No matter how I may oppose Obama's policies and plans, I'll treat the office and the man with the same respect and civility with which liberal Democrats have treated George W Bush.

Ah Candy, how we love you....word of advice...if all the pieces are still there the games, instruments, and "action figures" wudl be a great thing to have around for when the "if life is good" families expand. Only throw away the games with out all the pieces. I know my nephews have had hours of more fun with our old toys than with some of their newer ones. Find a spot in a closet to store it, you'll be glad you did and so will they.

Marcy,
Mobile, AL

I just love you Candy.

Candy, Thanks for your blog. It's always a delight to read, and enjoy your sense of humour. Beginnings are often exciting, and perhaps somewhat anxious times, but it does usually mean something else ends. Most of the things we may wish to hang onto are really only of value because they are connected to memories of meaningful relationships That makes them hard to put in the "toss" pile. Good luck with your sorting jobs. On the bright side, the beer bottles may be worth money to allow you to pursue more great memories! I've been thinking about the Obama girls, and wish them the best in this transition - one that will be a life change that few others have experienced.

Candy,
Snap a few photos of that beer bottle collection for posterity! Keep up the great work at CNN.

I like it, I always enjoy reading your post.

Hi Candy,
WOW – what a post! It's been a while. You really do have a way with your writing. It's interesting how you explain all the things that get collected in your basement and the basic problems with life. Very interesting – my kids are so young – we are only in the beginning stages of collecting things. Fast forward 15 years – what am I going to do with all this stuff? I'll be scratching my head too. Guess that's what it's all about........thoughts to ponder.
Hey, thanks for sharing with us. I always look forward to reading your posts. By the way, I love your new hair do, it's so pretty. Hope you have a good day today.
PS-It would be great if you wrote a book!

Candy, glad to see you blogging again. I've missed your posts! Good luck with cleaning out the house. My mom keeps meaning to clean out her basement, but can never find the time. I hope you can make better progress with yours!

" In the beginning of anyone deciding to vote for GW Bush, one realizes He was a scapegoat to be used to hide the American racist views in Washington. It was a trainwreck , then to choose a 200 yr old man to run for the Republican nominee. You have to say racism and meaness has cost them the economy, etc. Now they are trying to take down OBAMA and he isn't the president yet, wow!!!"

Hi Candy,
I agree with everyone else. Love your posts. There are no goodbyes, only future hellos. Thanks for all your hard work. Don't throw out too much stuff. They don't make things like they used to do and I doubt they ever will.

Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif.

Hi Candy. Good to see you blogging again. I'm with Marcy on keeping the games for expanding families. You'll be glad you did. Also, keep one empty beer bottle. Trust me.

Great blog Candy. Keep them coming.

Yes, life starts and then one is gone and the other must pick up the pieces and go on. After 3 years I think I can make it. The house still is not totally cleaned out, but it is coming. Good luck on your house redo.

Dess G.

Hi Candy,
I agree with everyone. I love your posts. There are no goodbyes, only future hellos. Don't throw out too much. They don't make things like they used to do and I'm afraid they never will again. Thanks for all your hard work. Keep the posts coming.

Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif.

Candy this is why you are my hero; an incredibly talented reported who, at the end of the day, is a mother just like me! I have only one child, a son, and remember well the day he married and left our home (if life is good) for the last time. I carefully packed those "beer bottles" in large green tubs and sent them with him. Six years later, my daughter-in-law still doesn't get my sense of humor! Today she assured me that those beer bottles are still carefully packed in those big green tubs and resting safely in her downstairs! Even though she doesn't "get me", my daughter-in-law was thoughtful enough to gift me with two little grandsons almost a year ago. Today I sit in my downstairs family room once again surrounded by building blocks and baby toys. Life just doesn't get much better than this!

Eloquent and heartfelt. Your post moved me to tears, caused wonderful reflection and brought to mind fond memories.

Thank you!

It's always good to hold onto the physical reminders of the past for future generations. It's cool for when life is good, like the toys I have from my dad and his Pat O's and Jax Brewery barware from the 1960's and the hundreds of other things he's kept over the years and passed down to me including the plant and bird books I inherited last weekend when he was cleaning his shelves but didn't want to throw these things away because my mom had given them to him over the years. It's also sweet for when life isn't so good, and you need the reminders of who you love that are no longer in this world. I wear my mom's engagement ring Daddy gave her for her 19th birthday every day. And when my grandma sold her house last year to move into assisted living, she gave me my grandpa's wedding ring and all these pieces of our family's history I never even knew existed. Hold onto the beer bottle collection. Your grandkids will love you for it one day. Trust me. I am so grateful my grandma and parents kept every little thing that was part of us.

Candy

Its so good to see you on the blog again. I have missed you greatly.

Your daughter in law will come to appreciate and enjoy your sense of humor as much as your sons do and your fans here at CNN do. You have the great blessing of being able to find humor and convey it to others so there are smiles around you – that is quite a gift.

I understand about endings. When children grow up and leave the nest that ending is so bitter sweet. Your job is mostly done; but this child who has been the center of your life for so many years is now an independent adult with their own life in which Mom doesn't figure as highly as she once did when the child was young. You feel proud of your child and perhaps proud of your parenting but also sad at the passing of a part of life that was so meaningful. Hopefully grandchildren will soon follow – I keep hoping and dropping hints. I think though I'm going to have to be a lot louder and more direct with those hints.

Good luck on cleaning out the basement. I cleaned out mine and boxed up a lot of things I didn't know whether to toss or keep and sent the boxes to my child to decide – it was their stuff after all. They kept about half – the half I would have been sure to chuck so I'm glad I sent it along to them. Good luck with yours and again so very glad to see you back on the blog!!

Candy,

we never let go of our little boys, and especially the odd collections they may have had. you are amazing!

i hope you get your grandchildren soon.

You should send the bottles to your daughter in law, passing it down is letting it go and being able to share it with someone special. I love your humor and all those different necklaces you have! We are getting ready to move and I have been "clearing house" for 2 weeks. I have come to the realization that unless they are things that I really want or want my children to have, their gone!

Love ya Lady!

Hey Candy,

I just love you Candy. You're the best, I really just got involved in politics since the campaign of Barack Obama and watching you cover him was just great. You do such a great job of reporting and I look forward to seeing much more of you on CNN

What a great blog. One with which I completely identify. There are many stages of life and moving on. This is just one of them. Life changes bring nostalgia and sentimentality but things can never replace memories and feelings. It really doesn't matter what you keep, your heart will always hold on to the past. It's what makes you who you are.